Friday, 28 December 2012

Hope everyone had a fan dabby dozy Christmas. Hopefully you're all still enjoying the holidays. For those that are already back at work. Owch. Unfortunate. Although I'm back on Monday. New Years Eve. What a horrid day to go back on! But unfortunately I only had 1 day of my holidays left to last me till April 1st. Not good, not good at all! So I had to be wise about how many holidays I took!

The Christmas holidays have been fairly quiet for us. We're not one of those families were uncles and aunties, cousins and babies all gather together and have a big festive knees-up. Sometimes I wish we were because I read about everyone elses family antics and kinda feel like I'm missing out. But then I know if I was to have those same moments every year, I'd long for those quiet and relaxing Christmas nights just huddled up eating chocolate infront of the TV, so I won't complain too much!

For those nosey people who like a peek of what others received for Christmas, I may have the perfect video for you! Hopefully some will come in my subscription box feed soon too!

I didn't receive as much as I know a lot of people would, but for me, it's a lot and I'm very grateful for.

I've been eating way too much junk food, I feel like my body needs a good detox. Roses and shortbread for breakfast and no exercise since I care to remember. January 1st, where are you?!

I hope you're all making the most of the festive season and have lots planned for New Years Eve! I think we're going to our favourite Indian Restaurant, then onto a few bars for cocktails. Maybe we will actually stay out till midnight this year instead of being old-timers and stepping through the front door at 11pm like we did last year. Oh how rock n roll are we?!

Friday, 21 December 2012

So I haven't really 'driven home for Christmas', well ok, maybe I have if a 10 minute car journey from work counts? Oh how I miss driving home from uni at this time of year. THAT'S when that song really means something...

I've got next week off work which is fab, as I haven't had a day off since Vegas, so it's well deserved!

The house has flickering fairy lights everywhere, the smell of cinnamon candles are in the air, the kitchen is laden with calorific treats, the alcohol corner is stocked to the brim, the amount of presents we have under the tree you'd think we had a bunch of kids.

Monday, 17 December 2012

I'm rather impressed with jolie box this month, I feel it makes up for the rather disappointing glossybox I received a few days ago.

It came in an elegant gold and white box, complete with a white canvas bag (as opposed to the standard black one).

The contents

Bellapierre shimmer powder. This is such a beautiful colour and could also be used as a highlighter as well as eye shadow. Its shimmery appearance is perfect for the festive season. Definitely one i will be making use of.

Dr Duve hand cream. I was only moaning about the amount of hand cream i had last month, so this month is no exception. I will say though that this sounds like it is aimed at the more mature hands. Another one for the handbag.

I love... cosmetics lipgloss. This smells very sweet. It is a little sticky, i have gone off lipglosses and much prefer a balm or lipstick nowadays.

Alvarez gomez. Spanish perfume. Cant decide if this is ok or not. Very strange smelling.

Sunday, 16 December 2012

I was super excited when I was greeted with my GB a few days ago.
I was even more excited when I saw the glossy silver box, and moreeee excited when I opened and saw pretty star paper. The contents, however, were in my eyes, mediocre.

I got 6 items, however one was a small perfume sample, and the other was one of Glossybox's cosmetics, which I don't like to count in my '5 item' rule, because sometimes I feel its their way of bumping the quantity up, and, without offending them (although I'm sure they'll never read this!) I just feel like they have jumped on the cosmetics wagon in a cheap and failed way.

Contents/opinions:

Rituals Magic Touch whipped body cream. I really did like Rituals shower foaming cream, so I'm looking forward to trying something else from their brand and this sounds like a rather luxurious product. A nice 70ml tube too (which is worth £5) so theres enough to try to decide if to invest in the real McCoy.

Seche Nail Laquer 'Simplicity'. This was majorly disappointing for me, but only a personal level. The colour is... yuck. Thats the only word I can think of right now. As soon as I saw it it reminded me of the colour of concealer or foundation. I received a polish from mememe (which Im almost sure was from GlossyBox) a few months ago, and it was a very similar colour to this, I disliked this, but gave it a go to see if I could change my mind, but nope, it looked horrid on my nails, so this is definitely one I wont be using. I can't even think of anyone to pass this onto because I can't imagine many people liking this. The formulation sounds wonderful, but colour comes before quality sometimes. I haven't seen any other colours knocking around the blogging world yet (simply because I havent looked), although the one in the GB leaflet looks a lot more appealing than this one.

Sleek True Colour Sheen lipstick. Mines in the shade candy cane, and this has got to be my most favourite product out the lot. It has a gorgeous creamy texture that glides on the lips perfectly. The colour is pretty vibrant, a bright pink colour, but with a strange (yet effective) red/orange undertone. I only tend to wear bright lips on nights out but either way, me likes.

Lemon, by Mary Greenwell (Eau De Parfum). We've received something from this woman before. I am a lemon fan though, lemon desserts, drinks, and I've been known to own a few lemon scented beauty products in my time. This is ok - not something I'd buy, but its a sample that I will throw in my handbag and use as a freshen up throughout the day at work. But once its gone, its gone.

Ayuuri Natural - Turmeric & Bergamot Face Wash. My first thought on seeing this? Cheap. This is a full size product (200ml) and is worth £4.99, but it kinda looks like something my dad would bring back from his holidays in Thailand... some dodgy cheap product. The scent instantly reminded me of the spice, turmeric. It is aimed at blemished skin so I will be interested to see if it does what 'it says on the tin'. I have been using this for a few days now and I am quite happy with the results so far. It leaves my skin feeling soft and fresh after use. Whether it will help to fight blemishes though I don't know..

Glossybox Blusher (Rosewood). I've just swatched this on my hand and it doesnt look very pigmented at all. It looks like you'd have to use a lot of product in order to notice it. Its matte with no real colour to it, and probably something I'm going to throw to the back of my drawer for it to only see daylight on fancy dress or 'lets give my little niece a makeover' days. GB - Stick to what your best at, beauty boxes!!

Overall, considering its a christmas box, IMO it was quite poor and not Christmas related at all.. Roll on me received my JolieBox...

Friday, 7 December 2012

As previously stated, in the back end of September I went to Vegas. You never knew I went there? Really? ;-)

I've been lucky enough to travel to quite a few countries in my life so far. I remember when I was younger, my dad pulled me out of school three times, yes, THREE times in one year to go on holiday. Of course I was the envy of all my friends. Although now you'd probably get a telling off and a fine for doing such a thing. How times change...

After a much long-anticipated wait, September 2012 finally arrived and before I knew it, we were up in the air, flying to Vegas, all 22 of us. All 22 I hear you say? Yep.. my brother was about to tie the knot and he managed to persuade 22 people to pay to come to Vegas to watch him in all his glory. I was kindly chosen to be bridesmaid so it was a privilege to be a part of it all. (Although I think he would have known about it if I wasn't in the bridesmaid line up!)

When people hear the words Vegas and Wedding in the same sentence, they immediately think one thing. Tacky. wedding. chapel. No no no, it wasn't that. At all. Far from it actually, but I'll get onto that shortly..

The day began with me and the other bridesmaid heading to the brides hotel room for a full on hair and beauty session, complete with champagne.. it's gotta be done! After a few hours of total relaxation (ok, maybe not for the nervous bride...) it was time to head down to Caesars Palace. The bride and groom had a honeymoon suite booked there for one night, and was lucky enough to get upgraded because they had double-booked (although personally I think it was my niece's cheeky smile that swayed the receptionist to an upgrade!). Overnight bags were dropped off and we then made our way down to the wedding garden, with father of the bride in tow. The bride nervously climbed into her dress, and then the music began...

The wedding was set in a very serene and elegant hotel garden. Imagine stone white benches for the guests, and palm tree's hanging over with the sun flickering through, romantic music softly playing in the background...am I setting the scene well? No? Ok, well heres a few photos...

Brides family

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Mother of the bride and bride & grooms daughter.

As you can see, no tacky wedding chapel in sight! Even though it was so close to the Vegas strip, it really did feel like you were a million miles away from all the chaos of the city.

The most loveliest of vows were exchanged and a bunch of creative photos were taken. The bride and groom then had an hour alone with the photographer to take more photos around the grounds, whilst the guests treat themselves to a well deserved chilled beverage... after all, 104 degree heat and suits don't mix very well!

After the photos, the blushing bride blushed more than she was expecting, after fainting... Cor, was married life already taking its toll?!

We then jumped in a hummer limousine, the music was turned up a notch, champagne was flowing freely and everyone was genuinely having a good time, bopping in their seats to the music, even my 2 year old niece!

My niece, attempting to live Vegas' rock'n'roll lifestyle in the hummer!

We arrived at the famous Vegas sign and more photos were taken, tacky but a kind of 'bucket list' photo destination. Jumping back in the limousine for the ride to Maggiano's, a gorgeous Italian Restaurant on the strip. A private room had been hired and the most delicious food was served. After several helpings of food and one too many cocktails, the speeches were done, which created roars of laughter all round, which I think is important at weddings!

Resorting back to my hotel room, I reflected on the day, and realised it went above and beyond my expectations of a Vegas wedding. Although I personally would never get married in Vegas, it was a fantastic day and something I wouldn't hesitate doing all over again.

We were only in Vegas for one week, and within this week we had to cram in a wedding and a day to California.This consisted of visiting Santa Monica beach, Beverly Hills and shopping time in Rodeo Drive (not that I had Rodeo Drive money!). We also got up close and personal to the famous Hollywood sign (another 'bucket list' photo destination!).

Overall this definitely has to be one of the better holidays I've had! Action packed and full of excitement, the only thing we missed out on is a helicopter ride over the canyon... next time Vegas, next time....